Mass weddings, commitment ceremonies held

Melanie Longoria, left, and Marisol Longoria kiss during their wedding ceremony held by LGBT San Antonio at the San Antonio Country Saloon on Valentine's Day, Saturday, February 14, 2014.

Melanie Longoria, left, and Marisol Longoria kiss during their wedding ceremony held by LGBT San Antonio at the San Antonio Country Saloon on Valentine's Day, Saturday, February 14, 2014.

Photo: Carolyn Van Houten, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

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Bebe Chano fights back tears during her wedding ceremony with Angelica Chano held by LGBT San Antonio at the San Antonio Country Saloon on Valentine's Day, Saturday, February 14, 2014.

Bebe Chano fights back tears during her wedding ceremony with Angelica Chano held by LGBT San Antonio at the San Antonio Country Saloon on Valentine's Day, Saturday, February 14, 2014.

Photo: Carolyn Van Houten, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

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Alyssa and Greg Kogutz, left, kiss while Pablo Gonzales kisses Leah Gonzales, lower right, during one of the free mass wedding ceremonies held annually on the steps of the Bexar County Courthouse on Valentine's Day, Saturday, February 14, 2014. Over 30 couples married during this ceremony, which was held at noon. less

Alyssa and Greg Kogutz, left, kiss while Pablo Gonzales kisses Leah Gonzales, lower right, during one of the free mass wedding ceremonies held annually on the steps of the Bexar County Courthouse on Valentine's ... more

Photo: Carolyn Van Houten, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

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Twenty-five doves were released after one of the free mass wedding ceremonies held annually on the steps of the Bexar County Courthouse on Valentine's Day, Saturday, February 14, 2014. Over 30 couples were married during that ceremony. less

Twenty-five doves were released after one of the free mass wedding ceremonies held annually on the steps of the Bexar County Courthouse on Valentine's Day, Saturday, February 14, 2014. Over 30 couples were ... more

Photo: Carolyn Van Houten, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

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Gina Cole, left, takes a photo while Debra Gonzalez holds Angelica Chano's, right, granddaughter Zendaya during a wedding ceremony held by LGBT San Antonio at the San Antonio Country Saloon on Valentine's Day, Saturday, February 14, 2014. less

Gina Cole, left, takes a photo while Debra Gonzalez holds Angelica Chano's, right, granddaughter Zendaya during a wedding ceremony held by LGBT San Antonio at the San Antonio Country Saloon on Valentine's Day, ... more

Photo: Carolyn Van Houten, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

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Mersadise Vidaurri, 14, left, sits with Jenny Guzman, 14, during a wedding ceremony held by LGBT San Antonio at the San Antonio Country Saloon on Valentine's Day, Saturday, February 14, 2014.

Mersadise Vidaurri, 14, left, sits with Jenny Guzman, 14, during a wedding ceremony held by LGBT San Antonio at the San Antonio Country Saloon on Valentine's Day, Saturday, February 14, 2014.

Photo: Carolyn Van Houten, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

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Bebe Chano, left, poses for a photo with her wife Angelica Chano after their wedding ceremony held by LGBT San Antonio at the San Antonio Country Saloon on Valentine's Day, Saturday, February 14, 2014.

Bebe Chano, left, poses for a photo with her wife Angelica Chano after their wedding ceremony held by LGBT San Antonio at the San Antonio Country Saloon on Valentine's Day, Saturday, February 14, 2014.

Photo: Carolyn Van Houten, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

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Angelica Chano, a bride, introduces Refugia Rodriguez, Chano's new grandmother-in-law, to her uncle Rob Lashley before Chano's wedding ceremony held by LGBT San Antonio at the San Antonio Country Saloon on Valentine's Day, Saturday, February 14, 2014. less

Angelica Chano, a bride, introduces Refugia Rodriguez, Chano's new grandmother-in-law, to her uncle Rob Lashley before Chano's wedding ceremony held by LGBT San Antonio at the San Antonio Country Saloon on ... more

Photo: Carolyn Van Houten, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

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Angelica Chano, left, Mary Chano and Bebe Chano stand together during Angelica and Bebe's wedding ceremony held by LGBT San Antonio at the San Antonio Country Saloon on Valentine's Day, Saturday, February 14, 2014. Mary is Bebe's mother. less

Angelica Chano, left, Mary Chano and Bebe Chano stand together during Angelica and Bebe's wedding ceremony held by LGBT San Antonio at the San Antonio Country Saloon on Valentine's Day, Saturday, February 14, ... more

Photo: Carolyn Van Houten, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

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Angelica Chano and Bebe Chano dance after their wedding ceremony held by LGBT San Antonio at the San Antonio Country Saloon on Valentine's Day, Saturday, February 14, 2014.

Angelica Chano and Bebe Chano dance after their wedding ceremony held by LGBT San Antonio at the San Antonio Country Saloon on Valentine's Day, Saturday, February 14, 2014.

Photo: Carolyn Van Houten, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

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Mary Chano dances with her daughter Bebe Chano after Bebe's wedding ceremony held by LGBT San Antonio at the San Antonio Country Saloon on Valentine's Day, Saturday, February 14, 2014.

Mary Chano dances with her daughter Bebe Chano after Bebe's wedding ceremony held by LGBT San Antonio at the San Antonio Country Saloon on Valentine's Day, Saturday, February 14, 2014.

Photo: Carolyn Van Houten, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

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Bebe Chano sings "My Angel" to Angelica Chano after their wedding ceremony held by LGBT San Antonio at the San Antonio Country Saloon on Valentine's Day, Saturday, February 14, 2014.

Bebe Chano sings "My Angel" to Angelica Chano after their wedding ceremony held by LGBT San Antonio at the San Antonio Country Saloon on Valentine's Day, Saturday, February 14, 2014.

Photo: Carolyn Van Houten, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

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Dozens of couples wait to be wed during one of the free mass wedding ceremonies held annually on the steps of the Bexar County Courthouse on Valentine's Day, Saturday, February 14, 2014.

Dozens of couples wait to be wed during one of the free mass wedding ceremonies held annually on the steps of the Bexar County Courthouse on Valentine's Day, Saturday, February 14, 2014.

Photo: Carolyn Van Houten, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

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Toni Chararria stands with her arms around her daughter Madison Chararria, 11, as they watch Toni's father in law get married during one of the free mass wedding ceremonies held annually on the steps of the Bexar County Courthouse on Valentine's Day, Saturday, February 14, 2014. less

Toni Chararria stands with her arms around her daughter Madison Chararria, 11, as they watch Toni's father in law get married during one of the free mass wedding ceremonies held annually on the steps of the ... more

Photo: Carolyn Van Houten, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

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Jessica Freeman puts her hand on Quincy Freeman during one of the free mass wedding ceremonies held annually on the steps of the Bexar County Courthouse on Valentine's Day, Saturday, February 14, 2014.

Jessica Freeman puts her hand on Quincy Freeman during one of the free mass wedding ceremonies held annually on the steps of the Bexar County Courthouse on Valentine's Day, Saturday, February 14, 2014.

Photo: Carolyn Van Houten, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

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Linelle and Vernon Sullivan kiss while Omar and Debra Mu-oz hug after they were married during one of the free mass wedding ceremonies held annually on the steps of the Bexar County Courthouse on Valentine's Day, Saturday, February 14, 2014. less

Linelle and Vernon Sullivan kiss while Omar and Debra Mu-oz hug after they were married during one of the free mass wedding ceremonies held annually on the steps of the Bexar County Courthouse on Valentine's ... more

Photo: Carolyn Van Houten, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

Hundreds of couples get hitched on Valentine’s Day

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Hundreds of couples celebrated Valentine’s Day by tying the knot Saturday in mass weddings held on the steps of the Bexar County Courthouse, while several same-sex couples said their vows during commitment ceremonies at a North Side bar.

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The Rev. Joe Sullivan has been marrying couples for free on Valentine’s Day at the courthouse since 1989. Couples had to pay for a marriage license, which costs $81. The first ceremony began at 12:01 a.m.; four more mass weddings and a vow-renewal ceremony were scheduled throughout the day.

“It’s incredible,” Sullivan said. “There are many tears of joy here.”

He said more than 100 couples got married during the midnight ceremony.

Catherine Blossom, 58, and George Fisher, 67, were one of about three dozen couples who got hitched at the noon wedding. They chose to go the courthouse route because they’d both been married before.

“We’ve had the big church weddings,” said Blossom, who carried a single red rose with baby’s breath at the noon ceremony. “This time around, we wanted to concentrate on just us.”

Greg Kogutz, 23, and his new bride, Alyssa, 20, also said their vows at the noon ceremony, which was capped off with a release of white doves.

“It’s a great tradition,” said Alyssa Kogutz, who wore a delicate cream-colored dress.

“I’ll definitely never forget this day,” said Greg Kogutz, who wore a red-and-white checked button-down shirt.

Sullivan, pastor of All Believers Church on Jackson Keller Road, said he began conducting the mass weddings because God told him to. Newly married couples lined up to have their photographs taken with him.

He wished one newlywed good luck and told him, “Go to church tomorrow somewhere.”

Because Texas still does not sanction same-sex marriages, LGBT San Antonio organized weddings throughout the day at SA Country Saloon.

“We’re not waiting to wait for lawmakers to decide if we can get married or not,” said Holly Ringling, the event’s founder. “Before God and all their friends and family, these couples are going to get married.”

With her friends and family watching, Bebe Chano said her vows through tears of happiness as she faced her bride, Angelica. After the ceremony, they danced to “You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me.”

The bar was decked out with artificial rose petals and heart-shaped balloons.

Chano, 38, who wore a black suit with a red shirt, said the event was a celebration of equality.

“We just want the same rights as everybody else,” she said. “We’re human, just like everybody else.”

The couple have been together for six years and saw no reason to wait for the state to pass a law recognizing their union.

“This is the month that I choose and the year that I wanted it to be,” said Angelica Chano, 37, who wore a short red dress and sky-high red heels. “This is my year.”

This was the second year that ordained minister John Cabrera performed the same-sex ceremonies.

“I’m a veteran. I fought for our freedom, I fought for equality and I always will,” said Cabrera, who is heterosexual.

Pamela Gonzales, 28, came from Beeville to wed her girlfriend, Iceys, 20.

“I feel excited and blessed,” she said after the ceremony, showing off her silver ring.